Picture share from Arizona part of the trip

Click here to see a fairly long picture share from the Arizona part of our trip!

California dreamin'

Charlie Jo and I are in California now after a long weekend that included Corey in Arizona. We are having a blast, but we are sad Corey had to return to Tennessee to work. Highlights of the trip so far have included Charlotte meeting two sets of her great grandparents, visiting a brand-new second cousin, and shopping with Grandma Jo and Auntie Ernie.

I'm uploading photos for a picture share and will write an entry to that link once that site finishes its "temporary maintenance" and allows me to complete writing captions. In the meantime, here is a goofy little video of Charlotte playing with her favorite toy on the airplane on the flight from Nashville to Phoenix.

Piggle at the polls

Charlie Jo and I had a great morning. First, we practiced playing while sitting up. She is really improving her balance! Next, we got dressed and went to coffee with a group of moms and babies from my moms' group. Charlie charmed everyone with her smiles and her amazing sitting-up ability. And her spitting-up ability. But I digress.

On our way home, we swung by the gargantuan church that serves as our area's polling station to vote in the local election and state primary election. We were very excited to vote for a Bob Tuke to be the party's nominee for US senator, because I got to know him pretty well through my work with Vanderbilt Law alumni. Charlotte was pronounced the cutest voter of the day by the poll workers, and a sweet old man put an "I voted!" sticker on Charlie's infant carrier. I have one question though -- is it bad that I wrote in Charlotte JoAnn Stringer as a write-in-candidate for an uncontested election?

Now we're packing for our big trip to Arizona and California. Corey informed me that it is going to be too hot for clothing and says he plans to be nude most of the time. Well, I guess that leaves more room in the suitcase for Charlie and me.

Some random photos

Taken at one of Piggle's doctor appointment. We need a big mirror like this to put down at Piggle's level so she can play with her "twin"!

The President and Vice-President of the Piggle Fan Club (aka Alicia and Faith Carol) snagged this lovely tutu for Piggle out of the bargain bin at Target. Doesn't she look elegant? It was a little hot that night, so she was cruising around in just her diaper.

Granny T made Piggle this full-body bib. Such a great idea!

Oatmeal cereal can get a little messy.

Especially when the eater of the cereal likes to stick her fingers in her mouth in between bites.

Piggle took Daddy and me to lunch for our 5th wedding anniversary on Saturday. She was a very good girl sitting in her highchair.

I love this shot I took while getting Piggle dressed one morning. She is turning into such a ham whenever we pull a camera (or camera phone!) out.

Shorter Charlotte video

And here's Charlie Jo bopping around in her highchair.

Looooooong Charlotte video

Corey's mom took a nice long video of Charlie sitting up (mostly) on her own. It features lots of sitting, falling, and getting put back upright. Enjoy!

NanaB and Charlie's Tennessee adventures - day 3

The third day of NanaB's visit found us bathing Miss Charlie Jo and lunching in downtown Franklin with Alicia and Steffen (the Marshall's new German exchange student!) at the Franklin Mercantile. None of the bath photos turned out to be suitable for posting and we somehow failed to snap a single shot at lunch, but here are some of the results of the fashion shoot we took that afternoon of Charlie in a pretty outfit (a gift from our neighbors, the Hoeksemas), previously worn at Uncle Jordan & Aunt Jessica's wedding.




We had such a fun time with NanaB and can't wait for her to bring Granddad back for Labor Day!

NanaB and Charlie's Tennessee adventures - day 2

On Monday morning, NanaB and Charlie went along with Niki to Stroller Strides. Even though it was one of the hottest days of the year, they all managed to make it back to the house without suffering heat exhaustion.

Can you believe Charlie already fits into this adorable 6-9 month sized outfit (a gift from Larry's cousin Dick and his wife Pam, who live in the "thumb" of Michigan)?!?! She's not quite five months old yet!

After a quick shopping trip, Charlie arrived home with a new toy. It fills with water and has "sea creatures" floating around inside. Charlie liked to lick it, of course.

Being the modern baby that she is, Charlie had a special high-tech dinner with her Granddad Larry. We Skyped him in on the computer while NanaB fed Charlie her oatmeal cereal.

Monday night is Trivia Night, so NanaB helped wrangle Charlie while team Big Love competed. Fourth place was not what we had hoped for, but it was better than we had done in a while. Charlie had a great time chewing on her new toy (won for her by our buddy David in one of those claw machine things) and then fell asleep in NanaB's arms.

NanaB and Charlie's Tennessee adventures - day 1

Charlie's NanaB escaped the dreadfully mild climate of Michigan and fled to the deliciously steamy Tennessee for a few days' respite with her granddaughter. She flew in Sunday just in time for breakfast.

After a leisurely morning, we headed out to Leiper's Fork and took lunch at Puckett's Grocery. Charlie did well in her highchair for a while. She's strapped into the shopping cart cover (previously pictured in the blog), which doubles as a highchair cover.

Charlie looked so sweet sitting at the table with us like a big girl.

After lunch, we headed over to (where else?) Arrington Vineyards to partake of the spirits and to scout out our competition in the Arrington Tablegating Competition. We will refrain from discussing the Arrington Tablegating Competition until such time as we have registered our appearance and vanquished all other comers.

Outside Arrintgon Vineyards, McGee the bear and Charlie had their picture made.

After the winery, we journeyed back to Franklin for some serious playtime. Charlie put on a little show and entertained NanaB for hours.

Please don't call the Department of Children's Services on us because we allow our daughter to nap on a dog bed.

Just like a big girl

With the shopping cart cover (a gift from Granny & Grandpa Taylor), Charlie got to ride in the grocery cart seat today just like a big girl!

Lunching with the Vandy Aunties

After we got Charlie cleaned up, we zoomed up to Nashvegas to see the aforementioned Vandy Aunties (my former co-workers Kathryn, Angela, and Lillian). After a yummy lunch at the local Thai restaurant, we headed back to the office for a quick diaper change before the journey back. Whenever we visit, we end up doing this deed on the floor of poor Kathryn's office. This time was no different.

Once Charlie was all changed, she entertained Kathryn with a little of her dancing.

Charlie loves her Vandy Auntie Kathryn!

Vandy Auntie Angela gave Charlie many kisses.

Primping

Before we could head to Vanderbilt for lunch with the Vandy Aunties, we needed to get Charlie Jo cleaned up. Let's just say there was a blowout during the night, and not the kind that happens when the guy at Qdoba wraps your burrito too tight and the tortilla splits open. Anyway, a bath was called for.

Chillin' in the bathrobe while we waited for the bathtub to fill up...

Do we have enough toys?

Still waiting for that darn bathtub to fill up. Wait - what do you mean I have to take the robe off now??

All clean now and warm in my fluffy towel.

Dressed in my romper (a gift from Vandy Auntie Kathryn) and ready to roll!